Wednesday 19 April 2017

Magical Mystery Tour - back to 1902

Hello everyone

It's been about 10 days since I last blogged - I've been busy in the garden making the most of the wonderful weather we have been having lately. I've been weeding and pruning and having fun taking a hammer to knock down a little crumbling brick wall. And when not in the garden I have been busy making letter journals for Beo and Rike  - the first time I have ever done that - so that has been a little daunting but also great fun (and a learning curve). Not quite finished or posted  so I can't show them yet - but I thought as this month was going fast I better get in my time machine and make the most of the invisibility cloak that I have for this month to go on some  Magical Mystery Tours that Hazel is hosting over at AJJ and asked us to go on.
Today I am going back to the year 1902 and some where that might help me with my family history research - Dartmouth in Devon, England.


 For my journal page, the background was made with aquamarkers then a layer of gesso added - I traced the outline of a map of Devon to show where Dartmouth is and transferred it on to my journal page. The colour is a mix of  Derwent Artbars and Inktense pencils/blocks and coloured pencils. Other elements stamped. (Ship and anchor stamps by Viva Décor).


I am going in my time machine back to 1902
to try to find out some answers and clear up the mystery of
 'Ye Olde Mystery Album' which I know very little about. 

I have a very large tatty photo album given to me by my late father but I am assuming it was started by my great grandparents as my paternal grandparents were born about 1896/7.
 Although most photos don't have a good description or dates - one of the first pages are for the years 1902 and 1903. The album has a naval and military theme, with various old postcards etc and the last pages possibly c 1919 WW1 with lots of soldiers.


First stop in Dartmouth on 7th March 1902 to see if I can find out why this photo is in the album and who took it and how are they related to me. 


The above photo didn't have a date or description  on the page but by Googling the words on the stone I found out that King Edward V11 laid the foundation stone at the BRNC Dartmouth - which is The Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. Two of the photos below from July 1902 states 'Assualt at Arms Britannia'



So while I am here in 1902 I am going to wander around and mingle with the crowds (covered by the invisibility cloak so no one will see me) and see if anyone seems familiar from any other photos.



Looking on the internet I found a reference to Boxing/Gymnastics and Fencing tournaments held at the college. 'Assault' seems a strange word to use now - but I got the impression that these events here and other places led to what later was known as 'The Royal Tournaments - Military Tattoo'.

I'm back now in 2017 -
 thanks for stopping by
Gill x

13 comments:

  1. Gorgeous journal page, great idea to make one about your ancestors. Thanks for showing the wonderful. vintage photos, too. Will write at the weekend when I have more time. Hugs, Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  2. What an intriguing and interesting step back in time Gill!
    That album is quite a treasure trove of history and even better in your inquisitive hands to be able to make sense and piece things together.
    Love your journal page. The map looks super with all of the special details you added.
    I had hoped to join in with Hazel's lovely theme this month but time got away from me.
    Glad I got to enjoy what you created here.
    Happy Spring...sounds like you're making the most of it. oxo
    p.s. Thank you also for your kind wishes!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I bet your garden looks great after all the work..

    Terrific art page ans great ideas on your project

    Hope the weather stays ok for you still cold here

    Love Chrissie xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for taking us back with you to find out about your family history. The old photos looked fantastic, I have some of my grandparents as well, so faded now and hard to see any details. So you are lucky to have some in this super condition.
    I loved the journal page you made and the time machine that took you on your magical trip.
    Yvonne xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Now this is a coincidence, Gill. Today I was at a museum where there was a lecture on genealogy. One of the things she pointed out was that photos make good comparison shots for your genealogy and family tree. Looks like you are on your way to a fantastic beginning with these incredible old photos. They are truly priceless! Of course, I was also incredibly impressed with your AJJ entry, too. It's wonderful.

    Seems like the extended blog break was what you needed to revitalize your cloak of invisibility.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow.. you are happy to have such a great photoalbum Gill! Fabulous page...I love how you made it... so artsy !A fantastic inspiration! A wonderful entry to the Magical Mystery Tour theme! Thank you very much for that even though you are so busy with the garden and the letter journal swap.
    We got winter again, yesterday much snow arrived in our area and it is sooo cold again. So indoor is a good place to stay right now.
    Happy rest of the week dear Gill.
    love from
    Susi

    ReplyDelete
  7. I did enjoy this little magical trip into history and really into another world when we see your old and fascinating photos. Your AJJ piece is lovely, attractive and informative and I like the way you used colour here.
    Nice to see you again and I'm glad you caught up with your gardening, especially at this time of year when everything is growing fast.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Those are great old photos Gill. I can see how hey inspired you to hop in that time machine. I've been doing some family research too and I want a time machine to really go back. I wonder what these ancestors were like. I like the ship and map on your page-those are always good images to include. Glad you're back and hope your garden is looking excellent. Hugs-Erika

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your time machine is fantastic and I loved stepping back in time with you :-) . It was a magical trip and your page is fantastic! Glad you have been taking advantage of the lovely weather we have been having, it seems we have more forecast for the weekend :-) . Happy Friday and wishing you a lovely weekend! J :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you for taking us with you in the time machine to 1902! You have a fantastic album of old photos, and you have made a wonderful journal page!
    Busy in the garden and working on letter journals - oh my! It is so cold here, I am staying in the house, and can hardly imagine that you had warm weather!
    I am looking forward for your letter journal!
    Best wishes, Rike xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love where your time machine took you and the fabulous page that you made of your journey. Your old photo album must be wonderful - I have lots of old photos handed down to me from when my grandad was in India in the 1800's, I love looking at them.
    xxx Hazel.

    ReplyDelete
  12. wonderful page, love the ship and the sea ,and super photos.
    happy rest week.

    hugs jenny

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you so much for taking us with you in this time machine! Wonderful old photoes and a great journal page!
    Did you ever think of painting the two ladies in their white dresses beside the man on the last photo?

    ReplyDelete

COMMENT MODERATION SWITCHED ON but I really do appreciate and thank you for any comments that you choose to leave. And PLEASE NOTE, to comply with new EU regulations starting 25th May 2018... please note that when you leave a comment on my blog that your name and blog link are visible to anybody who visit here.